Swimming apparatus



H. KINDT SWIMMING APPARATUS March 29, 1927.

Filed May 17, 1926 ATTORNEY WITNESS:

Patented" Mar. 29, 1927.

HERMAN KINDT, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

SWIMMING APPARATUS.

Application filed May 17,

This invention relates to swimming appliances and has for its object the provision of a novel apparatus which may be used in case of emergency or for pleasure, in the first instance the device constituting a life saving means and in the latter instance constituting a pleasure device as well as means for giving instructions in swimming.

An important and more specific object is the provision of a swimming apparatus embodying float orbuoyant elements adapted to be mounted upon the torso at the front portion and to be held adjustably in place by suitable securing means, the apparatus further including buoyant members adapted to be secured adjustably upon the legs of the wearer and provided with funnel shaped elements which will act to propel the wearer through the water When the legs are moved up and down as in swimming.

An additional object is to provide an apparatus of this character which will be simple and inexpensive in manufacture, easy to apply and adjust, positive in action, efficient and durable in service, and a general improvement in the art.

Vith the above and other objects and advantages in view, the invention consists in the details of construction, and the arrangement and combination of elements to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a front elevation or perspectiveview of the apparatus showing it being worn by a person.

Figure 2 is a rear View.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section through one of the floats adapted to be mounted upon the body, and

Figure 1 is a detail vertical section through one of the floats adapted to be mounted upon the legs.

Referring morev particularly to the drawings, I have shown the apparatus as comprising a pair of floats 10 intended to be mounted upon the opposite sides of the chest portion of the body of the wearer. These floats, while capable of being formed of any buoyant material, are preferably constructed as hollow aluminum shells conveXed on their front sides as indicated at 11 and concaved on the rear sides, as shown at 12, so as to fit conformingly against the body. For attaching these floats, use may be made of straps 13 preferably of rubberized or other 1926. Serial No. 109,725.

waterproof material, which straps are connected at one end with the upper ends of the floats 10 and arranged in crossed relation at the back of the body. Use is also made of a strap 1 1 connected with the rear outer sides of the float and also sacured to the other end of the strap 13, this strap 14 passing about the body at a point somewhat below the arm pits but preferably above the waist.- The securing means at the front of the body is shown as comprising adjustable strap members 15 connected with the inner sides of the float and extending across the chest and about the waist portion of the wearer as clearly indicated in Figure 1. Obviously,.these floats will act to support the wearer in the water and prevent sinking.

The apparatus further comprises floats adapted to be mounted upon the legs, these floats being designated generally by the nu meral 16 and being likewise formed as hollow aluminum shell members 17 concavo convexed in cross section so as to fit conformingly against the outer sides of the legs below the knees. These float members are adapted to be secured in position by adjustable strap devices 18 or the like, and to enable the wearer to propel himself through the water by a swimming motion, the shell members being provided with downwardl and outwardly flaring funnel-like propelling memhere 18.

Assuming that the device or apparatus has been mounted upon a person in a manner shown and described, it is readily apparent that in emergency cases the whole outfit will constitute a life-saving device and one which possesses advantages over the ordinary life preserver inasmuch as the flaring members 18 carried by the leg carried float will provide means whereby the person may p'ropel himself in the water by a swimming motion. Clearly, the device is equally well adapted for use in teaching persons to swim inasmuch as buoyancy will be assured so that the person may devote his entire attention to the performance of the necessary movements to learn swimming. It is also evident that the device may be used for pleasure purposes by bathers and novice swimmers. Any and all advantages will of course be readily apparent to one skilled in the art without further explanation.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of the in ention, it

should be understood that I reserve the right to make such changes in the form, construction and arrangement of parts as will not depart from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described the invention, 1 claim:-

1. A swii'i'iming upmnratns of the char- :ieter deseiahed, float members adapted to be disposed upon the outer sides of the legs below the knees and provided with securing means. said tloat members being ot hollow metallic form and provided with downwardly and outwardly flaring funnel-like rigid elements constituting propelling means when the legs are moved up and down.

A swin'nning apparatus of the character described, comprising float lliCHllQQlS m'lzipted to be disposed upon the outer sides of the legs below the knees and provided withseenring means said float members heprovided with downwardly and outwzirdly flaring funnel-like elements eonstitoting propelling means when the legs are moved up and dowm said float members being forn'ied as hollow metallic shells tor the sake of lightness and being shzi 'ied to cont'orm against the portions of the legs en JZI0tl thereby.

In testimony whereof I zillix my signw ture.

HERMAN KINDT. 

